Let's Meet: Kris Fredheim

by BReynolds on Nov 17, 2011 9:00 AM CST in Prospects

This picture has so much awesomeness it's hard to take it all in. (Photo credit: Morris Molina/Houston Aeros)

With so many defensemen injured, the Wild had to turn to the Aeros again yesterday. In a move that was not seen coming, rather than call up a guy under contract, the Wild went ahead and inked one of the prospects on an AHL only deal.

Why not, eh?

Could have been Tyler Cuma or Drew Bagnall, and Wild fans may have had a clue about who this kid is, and what game he plays. Heck even Chay Genoway or Jeff Penner may have given the fans an inclination about him. Instead, the Wild pull from the depth chart, and show why it is so important to have a strong affiliate in the AHL, stocked with players who can play, even if they are not one of the prospects of the big club.

After the jump, we get to know Kris Fredheim.

First off, let's get the basics out of the way, shall we?

A sixth round pick by the Canucks? Well, let's hope the Nucks organization didn't leave any filth on him. The vitals look good, though. 6' 2", 195 lbs is about right for the size needed to be a regular in the NHL. With that size, he has good reach, and good body size to be able to position himself well, and also to throw a hit if need be.

Playing his college hockey with another rival of the Minnesota college programs, college hockey fans have likely heard quite a bit about him. For those of you that haven't, let's take a look at some video and talk to the experts.

Well... let's just assume they didn't call him up to be the enforcer, shall we?

Expert Opinion

From last year's T3I post about their incoming team:

It's pronounced FRED-haym. Rhymes with Dead Aim. Fredheim's a stay at home defenseman who earned an AHL deal out of camp after finishing up his college career at Colorado College (Wild must have a scout who lives in Colorado Springs...

Well, at least we'll be able to say it correctly.

From MsConduct herself:

First of all, he earned this contract last season. Nobody was steadier and more durable anymore reliable night in and night out without any fanfare for it. I can't imagine how excited he is today, and then to make his NHL debut tomorrow (potentially)? Amazing.

As far as what to expect, expect to barely notice him, partly because he probaly won't get a ton of minutes, but also because he's just the kind of d-man that you don't have to worry about. He's not looking for glory or points, he just plays his position, has good speed, protects his goalie, doesn't shy from the hard stuff.

I have maybe 2 times ever thought, "oh Freddy, what are you doing?" and I've seen him a lot.

There you have it, Wilderness. The newest member of the Minnesota Wild blue line, Kris Fredheim.

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

How soon will he see action? Tonight?

by MindMachine on Nov 17, 2011 9:15 AM CST reply actions

Tonight. Almost guaranteed. Unless someone miraculously gets better.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Editor:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Please consider donating to my Movember campaign. Together, we can change the face of men's health.

by BReynolds on Nov 17, 2011 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

He’s not looking for glory or points, he just plays his position, has good speed, protects his goalie, doesn’t shy from the hard stuff.

This is exactly what I like to see in defensemen. Best of luck to him.

by FinnPryde on Nov 17, 2011 9:40 AM CST reply actions

I'm a little confused

Are those Aeros players wearing Wild jerseys? Is that Kassian related to Matt in any way? What would a Zack vs Matt fight look like?

by HonorableH on Nov 17, 2011 10:04 AM CST reply actions

It’s at the prospect tourney.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Editor:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Please consider donating to my Movember campaign. Together, we can change the face of men's health.

by BReynolds on Nov 17, 2011 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

And I believe Zack and Matt are brothers, yes.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Editor:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Please consider donating to my Movember campaign. Together, we can change the face of men's health.

by BReynolds on Nov 17, 2011 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think thats True

Zack was born in Ontario, Matt in Alberta. If they were brothers and parents moved between births or soemthing, they both likely would have played in the same CHL league but Zack played in the OHL and Matt the WHL. Cousins is a possibility.

by ThatGuy22 on Nov 17, 2011 10:48 AM CST up reply actions

I don't know much about Zack

But he plays a rough and tumble game with offensive upside I believe. He’s a top Sabres prospect.

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

Author, watchdog, enforcer and french-canadian connection for Hockey Wilderness.

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Nov 17, 2011 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

Ya

Profile’s i’ve read call him a Lucic clone.

by ThatGuy22 on Nov 17, 2011 11:12 AM CST up reply actions

So ‘’likes to run goalies’’ was actually written on his profiles? Huh… strange.

Yukyukyuk

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

Author, watchdog, enforcer and french-canadian connection for Hockey Wilderness.

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Nov 17, 2011 11:33 AM CST up reply actions

Funny he should be a Sabres prospect, huh?

They’re big on Lucic there.

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

Author, watchdog, enforcer and french-canadian connection for Hockey Wilderness.

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Nov 17, 2011 11:34 AM CST up reply actions

That could be. I thought I remembered reading they were related. I’m wrong fairly often, though.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Editor:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Please consider donating to my Movember campaign. Together, we can change the face of men's health.

by BReynolds on Nov 17, 2011 11:33 AM CST up reply actions

Quick google search

had 1 message board saying they were, two they werent. Thats something that would generally be on a wiki page as well and its absent.

by ThatGuy22 on Nov 17, 2011 11:52 AM CST up reply actions

He seems to have good grappling skills ….

2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club

by Chris Winner on Nov 17, 2011 10:51 AM CST reply actions

Almost sounds like Nick Schultz

Which would be great. Now Spurgeon and Prosser will need to step up big offens-wise.

JS, Champion of the first ever Hockey Wilderness Playoff Bracket Challenge! WHOOOOOOOO!

Author, watchdog, enforcer and french-canadian connection for Hockey Wilderness.

twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Nov 17, 2011 11:08 AM CST reply actions

Greatly stated Ms. Conduct

I was at the game last night (finally!!!) and your statement was pretty much what I saw out of him.

As far as what to expect, expect to barely notice him, partly because he probaly won’t get a ton of minutes, but also because he’s just the kind of d-man that you don’t have to worry about.

Didn’t expect to see a whole lot of minutes out of this guy in his debut, but when he was on the ice it was hard to notice him with all of the action happening. And like we all know, that’s a good thing.
Congrats on your debut Fredheim, which helped the Wild provide solid D again and a shutout (Thank you Backstrom)!!! I also heard on the radio today at lunch that the Wild players had some good things to say about his play.

by NHLxWildFan on Nov 18, 2011 9:12 PM CST reply actions